Trestle



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

M. B. CHURCH.

TRESTLE.

No. 467,081. Patented Jan. 12, 1892.-

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

M. B. CHURCH.

'TRESTLE No. 467,081. Patented Jan. 12, 1892.

UNITED STAT S PATENT OFF CE.

MELVIN B. CHURCH, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

TRESTLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 467,081, dated January 12, 1892.

Application filed June 8, 1891. Serial No. 395,532. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MELVIN B.CHUROH, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trestles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates particularly to the construction of the trestle in which the legs are removable; and my object has been to provide a simple and economical trestle for the use of plasterers, lathers, and other artisans, and to combine with simplicity and cheapness of construction strength, durability, and facility in putting up and taking down.

My said invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents the upper part of the trestle in perspective. Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the same. Fig. 3 shows the trestle folded. Fig. at is a perspective view of a modifioation complete. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the same.

The body of the trestle is composed of a top piece, shown as a foot-board A, which rests directly upon and is fixed to a trusspiece B, which is preferably thin and deep, being in the form of a board. The top piece may also be sustained bybrackets b. On the under side of the top piece are sockets e, which are fitted to easily receive the upper ends of the legs E, as in Figs. 1 and 2. The sockets are inclined away from the trusspiece to correspond to the required divergence of the legs. The sockets are formed in blocks or castings f, secured beneath the top piece and against the truss-piece. In order to spread the legs and to provide fulcrurns for the purpose hereinafter explained, I have formed the vertical portions of the castings wedge-shaped, the outer surface of each being grooved, as shown at h, and the grooves being inclined and registering with the sockets to give rigid longitudinal bracing. The castings or blocks are back to back with the truss-piece interposed between them. The upper ends of the legs are placed in the grooves and sockets and have some longitudinal as well as lateral inclination, as is usual with trestle-legs. After being placed in the sockets the legs of each pair are drawn together, so as to put them under some tension and to cause the upper ends to bind in the socket and grooves, and they are thus secured in this position bypositive connections and are held by the tension. Th is may be conveniently made of rope or cord of suitable strength, as shown at 1. The rope is attached to one of a pair of legs and is passed directly through a hole in the opposite leg, to which it is attached by any suitable slip-knot. The tension or spring of the legs held together as described binds the upper ends in the sockets and renders the wholestructure secure. The springing of the legs enables me to use a flexible connection between the pairs of legs, such as cord,

as very little pressure is necessary to spring the legs out of the normal plane thereof, and thus the legs are caused to bind in the sockets of the top' piece, and the connection is held under tension by the spring of the legs. The unloosening of the strings is sufficient to release the legs, and they may be then readily removed. I may use other connections instead of the ropes, such connections readily suggesting themselves to the skilled workman. Instead of the sockets which have the footboard of the top piece as their bottom, as in Figs. 1 and 2, I may make inclined holes in the foot-board of the top piece, Figs. 1 and 2, in the same positions in which the sockets are shown and registering therewith,except that the holes of each pair are set out of transverse line, as shown in Fig. 4, so that the upper ends of the legs projecting above the top piece may pass each other. By this construction the height of the trestle may be varied, for which purpose also the legs have a series of holes 2, adapted to receive studs 3 in the inclined grooves of the castings, which assist in sustaining the vertical strain. In adjusting the legs the cords are loosened and the legs are spread apart, so as to be disengaged from the studs, and after the required height is reached the legs are drawn together, making the appropriateholes engage the studs, and then the legs are secured by the cords. For this purpose the openings through the foot-board of the top piece are made sufficiently large to allow lateral movement of the upper part of the legs therein, so as to clear the studs when being adjusted, and as at all IOC times I make the legs fit the socket or openings loosely they are very readily adjusted or detached. The flat foot-board is also a desirable feature of the invention, as it provides suflicient foot room under ordinary circumstances for the use of the device without the addition of any other pieces.

A step-bar L, having suitable studs to enter the openings in the legs, may be adjusted to proper height for use as a step for the workman, and other steps 1 are secured to the legs at points lower down.

It will be understood that the term top piece, as used hereinbefore, is intended to refer to the upper structure, which extends from one pair of legs to the other, and through and above which the inclined legs are adjustable, whether said upper structure includes a foot-board or not.

I claim as my invention- 1. A trestle consisting of a top piece provided with inclined sockets or holes, legs removably fitted thereto, inclining outwardly therefrom, and independent straining-cords between the legs of each pair for springing said legs together and binding their upper ends in the sockets or holes.

2. A trestle consisting of a top piece comprising a truss-piece and a foot-board arranged horizontally upon the truss-piece, inclined sockets or holes carried by or formed in the top piece, legs removably fitted thereto, and independent straining-cords between the legs of each pair for springing the legs together, substantially as described.

3. In combination, a top piece, castings secured thereto having inclined sockets, a stud projecting from the inner face of each casting, legs fitted to said castings and having openings or recesses adapted to said studs, and straining connections between each pair of legs.

4. A trestle consisting of a top piece,castings secured thereto having sockets open on the front, detachable legs fitted thereto, means located in the sockets for preventing slipping of the legs in the sockets, openings in the top piece registering with the sockets of the castings, of greater extent than the thickness of the legs, whereby lateralmovement of thelegs is permitted to free them from the fastening devices,and straining connections for thelegs.

5. A trestle consisting of a top piece comprising a truss-piece and a foot-board arranged horizontally upon the truss-piece, castings or blocks secured thereto, having sockets open on one side, detachable legs fitted thereto, means located in the sockets for preventing slipping of the legs in the sockets, openingsin the top piece registering with the sockets of the castings, of greater extent than the thickness of the legs, whereby lateral movement of the legs is permitted to free them from the fastening devices, and a straining cord or cable for the legs, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MELVIN l3. CHURCH.

\Vitnesses:

HENRY E. COOPER, F. L. MIDDLETON. 

